Google Bringing Jobs Back to the United States

Google's recent release of the Nexus Q multi-media device has an interesting message inscribed on it: "Designed and Manufactured in the U.S.A."

Economic predictions abound as rising costs of labor in China and other popular outsourcing locations cause companies to look at the possibilities of moving manufacturing plants back home.

Author Howard L. Sirkin of the Boston Consulting Group wrote: "A surprising amount of work that rushed to China over the past decade could soon start to come back... and the economic impact could be significant. We're on record predicting a U.S. manufacturing renaissance starting by around 2015."

According to Andy Rubin, Google's Vice President of their Android OS, "We've been absent for so long, we decided: Why don't we try (U.S. manufacturing) and see what happens?"

The Nexus Q has been said by Google to be "the world's first social streaming player," and can interface with countless devices in your home. From smart-phones and tablets, to TV's and computers, the Nexus Q can communicate with them all.

While the exact location of this US factory is unknown, it is reported to be near Google's headquarters of Mountain View, California. The New York Times indicated that what seemed to be hundreds of employees were working at the factory, creating rare thing: a mass produced electronic device, completely assembled in the United States.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/28/tech/mobile/google-nexus-q-usa/index.html

Google to sell prototypes of Google Glass

There are always people who will tell you that technology gets in the way of interaction with the real world. That, however, may no longer be a problem.

Google Glass is an innovative project, one that puts many of the capabilities in your smartphone right before your eyes. The company is designing high-tech glasses, glasses that can display text messages, hold video chat, and even take pictures and video.

"I think we are definitely pushing the limits. That is our job: to push edges of technology into the future," said Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google.


Google opened sales of the Glass prototype to roughly 6,000 programmers present at the Google I/O convention. Those who attended the three-day conference, which started today, have the chance to purchase the glasses for around $1500. The glasses will ship early next year, allowing the programmers to really get into testing and feedback for Google's technicians.


"This is new technology and we really want you to shape it," Brin announced. "We want to get it out into the hands of passionate people as soon as possible."


The glasses are designed to allow you to be in touch with both the virtual and the real world. They are low-profile, and designed to be intuitive to use.

The capabilities of Project Glass were demonstrated by a team of skydivers above the conference, and those wearing prototypes of the glasses at the conference were able to see a live-stream of the dive during the presentation. 


Google hopes to begin full production of Project Glass sometime in 2014, which is about when they will become available to the general public. 


http://news.yahoo.com/google-sell-prototype-futuristic-glasses-184136027--finance.html;_ylt=Asp455wAHHx788qcumi2HDcjtBAF;_ylu=X3oDMTNxZG9qZ3BvBG1pdANKdW1ib3Ryb24gVGVjaFNGBHBrZwM3MGFiNzUyNS05MDBhLTMxMmYtYWQ4ZC1kZWQ0YzNjNjYwN2MEcG9zAzIEc2VjA2p1bWJvdHJvbgR2ZXIDOWZiZjM2YTEtYzA5ZS0xMWUxLWJkN2QtOTE4MWIzZjM0NmRl;_ylg=X3oDMTFpcTZobnQ4BGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwR

Microsoft Surface to compete with Apple iPad

Microsoft and Apple have long been rivals, and on Monday, Microsoft made its push to match and possibly dethrone the popular Apple iPad. The new Microsoft Surface, unveiled in Los Angeles, is a touch screen device reminiscent of the iPad, but with a few marked differences.

Running a mobile version of the new Windows 8 operating system, the Surface tablet will be a major move for Microsoft into the hardware industry. While Microsoft is largely thought of and marketed as a software company, Apple’s recent surge into the market has forced it to begin moving out of its niche and into new areas if it wishes to keep its super-giant presence in the technology field.

With a built in kickstand and keyboard, the Surface tablet is catered to business and personal life as an accessible and highly versatile device. The keyboard is implemented as a detachable screen cover that can fold out, with touch-sensitive areas for the keys. This particular feature makes in very useful in environments where quick, easy access typing is necessary.

One of the big pushes behind this new product is the functionality of Microsoft's new flagship OS, Windows 8. Steven A. Ballmer, Microsoft's chief executive, said "We want to give Windows 8 its own companion hardware innovations."

In the build-up to the reveal of the Surface, the company was very secretive as to its plans. They called reporters with the date of the event, but did not tell them when or even exactly where until Monday morning.

For Microsoft, this is a huge leap into the hardware industry, and for those who enjoyed the funtionality of the iPad, the new Surface could provide an even stronger platform to stand on. That said, it could also be a colossal flop. Only time will tell.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/19/technology/microsoft-unveils-a-tablet-to-challenge-the-ipad.html?_r=1&ref=technology